Mike Sansur — a highly regarded and longtime technology education teacher at Staples High School — was killed in an automobile accident yesterday morning.
Mike Sansur
According to The Day of New London, Sansur — who was 52 years old, and lived in Darien — was driving northbound on I-95. He stopped in the left lane for an unknown reason, between Exits 70 and 71 in Old Lyme, just before 7:30 a.m.
Fernando Dixon, 26, of Oxford, driving a Kia, rear-ended the car. Sansur was taken to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, where he died of his injuries,
His son Michael, 21. of Milford, was a passenger. He was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital by Life Star helicopter. Dixon sustained minor injuries.
Sansur was in his 18th year at Staples High School. He taught previously at Ansonia High.
In a message to Westport families and staff, superintendent of schools Thomas Scarice called Sansur a “beloved” teacher.
“We are devastated by this news, and our hearts are with the Sansur family during this difficult time,” he said.
“Mike was a personal favorite of countless students and staff. His career has been marked by inspirational stories of positively impacting the lives of students at Staples, and creating an unparalleled sense of belonging in his classroom.”
Working collaboratively to solve tech ed. problems, in Mike Sansur’s room.
As a technology education teacher, Sansur created courses teaching hands-on skills, while integrating STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) into his curriculum.
His goal was to “encourage students to unearth talents, learn lifelong skills, and discover further courses of study or career paths.” Many went on to careers in fields like electronics, engineering, automotive technology, construction management and architecture. (Click here for a story about a student inspired by Sansur to pursue a career as an electrician.)
Shane Lozyniak wired this electrical panel in Mike Sansur’s class.
He challenged students to build miniature race cars for competitions, bridges out of thin wood to support heavy weights, and projects like lamps and skateboards.
Mike Sansur introduced architecture and construction management skills into his tech ed. curriculum.
Last May in “06880,” Sansur proudly described the number of girls enrolled in what was once a male-dominated department. (Click here to read.)
Last spring, Parker Pretty posed at her workstation.
Scarice said that the Staples and district-wide crisis teams are developing plans to support students and staff.